Redskins Mailbag: Ask John

Richmond, VA

Chris: I agree that it was an issue. I didn’t like that this team seemed to get a little too chippy in games. That stuff always comes back to hurt. I love passion; I don’t like yapping after big hits on 10-yard gains by the opponent. Point of the game is to stop people from scoring, not to just drill someone. I don’t view Donte Stallworth as unprofessional and for the most part Santana has been fine in that regard, but taking his helmet off was uncalled for and both were flagged in the finale. Not good. I agree that Hall’s actions vs. New England were not handled well (for kicking the flag, not the Gronkowski play). You can’t have a captain doing that sort of thing. It’s surprising that he was elected a captain in the first place. I’d be surprised if the same thing happens next year.  As for a comparison, the Redskins had three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties this season. That’s the same as Green Bay, one more than New Orleans and two more than Pittsburgh. The difference? Look at the QB’s leading those teams. You can overcome those plays when you have Brees, Rodgers or Roethlisberger. The Redskins had little margin for error and they kept crossing that line. They played dumb at times and that can’t happen again. Problem is, some of the players who barked the loudest — Hall, Landry, Williams — might all be back next season. Smarter play is a must.

JK

John: Danny Smith and Keenan McCardell should be canned. The special teams have been a joke all year (other than coverage teams most games) and the receivers look like idiots. Moss and Stallworth being hit with the most bone-headed of 15 yard penalties in week 17? It starts with a position coach who has lost any control he may have had over a squad that cannot afford even minor screw-ups yet they have been making mental mistakes all year with no accountability, just more post game BS about “correcting it next week”. Well I guess next week just left town. Don’t really see why Stallworth needs to come back next year either. He is not good at his job nor a team leader.

Bah Humbug!!!!!!! and Happy New Year

Charlie C.

Charlie:  Um, Happy New Year? Gotta get you off that ledge, CC! If the Redskins make a few changes to their staff, I could see McCardell being one of them. That’s not a lock by any means and I’m not going to blame him for Moss or Stallworth being flagged. Both are vets; they know right from wrong on the field. They must be held accountable. It’s tough to blame McCardell for all that went wrong with the wideouts. After all, Leonard Hankerson improved; Jabar Gaffney had a career year (mostly due to the scheme). But Niles Paul never became a threat and Terrence Austin wasn’t that much different than a year ago. Can’t blame him for Moss’ decline, either. Still, they need more from the wideouts. Donte, incidentally, is one of the best players to deal with on the team, is a hard worker and very willing to help young players. Danny Smith did not have his best season as everyone saw. But his track record has been solid and it appears they want him back. I do expect some changes to be made to the staff. When you’ve won 11 games in two years, even with injuries, change occurs.

JK

John: Greetings from China!  What is your take on Darrell Green returning to the Skins to coach the secondary?  Do you think he is serious?  Do you think Shanahan would welcome him?  What would be the fallout with the fans if he didn’t?

Allen

Allen: I’ll answer very loudly so you can hear me over there (it’s what my grandmother used to do on long distance calls). Sorry, bad schtick.  As for Darrell, I have a hard time believing he’s serious. If he was, he’d call the organization, offer to work his way up and then put himself in a position to be a secondary coach someday. Can’t decide on a whim to do this job. I wonder if Darrell has too many things going on in his life with his foundation to commit to the 16-18 hour days that it takes to be a pro coach. One reason Marty Schottenheimer wondered about him when he first arrived was because Darrell talked more about his off-field interests than the game itself. I like Darrell, but I have a hard time seeing this one happen. Would his wisdom help? Absolutely. My guess is Darrell would be happier working with guys one on one in the offseason than going through the grind of not just a season but the entire year. The guy has a lot to offer as a Hall of Famer. But I would not hire him to be a secondary coach without any experience that proves he’s a good coach and not just a former great player. We know he could play. Can he coach in the NFL? How would anyone know? There should be zero fallout over this; wouldn’t be fair to Shanahan.

JK

John: Can you give us a detailed prediction for the QB situation in ’12? Does Rex stay or go? If he’s back, is he signed for multiple years? How about Beck? Crompton? Do the Skins draft a QB early in first? Trade back and go late in the first? The 2nd/3rd? Not at all? Do the Skink back up the cash truck for a guy like Flynn? Or a cheaper guy like Orton?

Please do you best Kreskin and tells us what you think happens next season under center.

Thanks,

Kevin in Kensington

Kevin in Kensington: Impossible to know all of this because they’re so early in the process of evaluating college players (and even potential free agents such as Flynn). I’m not ready to go crazy over Flynn, though I know some scouts who like him a lot. Still early. Orton? Nope. They had a chance and passed. He’s far from the answer and would barely be an improvement, if at all. My guess is Beck returns (he’s on a one-year deal; they still like enough about him; they can point to last year’s lack of an offseason as a reason why he still hasn’t fully learned the offense) and Crompton probably will as well, if for no other reason than to be a fourth QB in camp. My guess for now is that the Redskins make an aggressive move for a QB in the draft (right now that would be Robert Griffin III) and they re-sign Grossman. Multiple years? Maybe two, as they offered this year. It wouldn’t be expensive.

JK

John: I’m an English Redskins fan – been following them since 1986 when we’d get an hour’s worth of highlights on a Saturday morning of the previous Sunday’s matches!

1) What are your thoughts on the wide receiver situation? I agree that the Skins need a real ‘No1’, a playmaker who can make a real difference. Do you think it can be Hankerson? Or do they go for a big name in free agency? I’m also disappointed with Armstrong. I had big hopes for him after the first season. What went wrong? Bad chemistry with Rex? And does Stallworth deserve to stick around another season?

2) In hindsight, dropping Grossman for Beck might have cost the Skins a win or two, but do you blame Shanny for doing it? I personally don’t. No-one knew what Beck would be like. He might have been the next Drew Brees. Of course, he wasn’t 🙂 Do you think the Beck disaster is making people wary of Matt Flynn? I’m not sold on Flynn, but potentially giving up a lot of picks for Luck or RG3 scares me when this franchise has thrown away picks for years. While Flynn might not be the answer, he’s shown in limited starts what Beck failed to do in his limited starts. So John: which should it be – free agency QB or draft for a QB?

Thanks very much and keep up the good work

Andy Sherwood

Andy: I’ve already exhausted my bad long distance overseas attempt at humor so I’ll just move on. But thanks for writing. 1) They like Hankerson a lot and apparently he was terrific in practice for a few weeks before his one big game. But would I rely on him? How could you? I’d still want another potential playmaker, preferably with speed. He doesn’t have to be a true No. 1; but he has to be a playmaker. As for Armstrong, it’s tougher to produce once teams have a book on you. His injury impacted his play as well and once he started slow the Redskins had other places to turn. They didn’t have that last year. I like what Stallworth did, but we’re not talking Pro Bowl numbers here. They need receivers who threaten defenses. If they bring him back to camp that’s fine. But it’s not fine if they don’t make upgrades at this spot.

2) No, I didn’t blame Shanahan for the move. Grossman was/is a turnover machine and you had to see if the other guy – whom they like – could do better. He couldn’t. And Grossman’s pneumonia gave Beck one more start. I don’t know why Beck’s play would have any impact on Flynn’s situation. Beck never had a game like that and nobody was clamoring to get him on their roster. If I have a chance to get Luck, I take it. If you think he’s that much better than the others, that is. This franchise hasn’t had a legitimate starting QB in forever. Why settle for a lesser player? Look at it this way: They’ll be helped next season, in theory, by Jarvis Jenkins’ return and Hankerson’s development. It’s like adding two picks, which sort of softens the blow if you have to trade a couple. They just added 12 draft choices, so they don’t need to add eight more this season. But I’ll sort of cop out and say if they like Flynn, then by all means giving up money is always easier than draft picks.

JK

John: If they think Luck is the next Tom Brady should they give up whatever it takes to get him? This is assuming the Colts would trade the pick if they gave them enough incentive.  

Tim Tribbett DVM

Tim: If Luck is the next Brady, then nobody trades that pick. I’d expect the Redskins to be aggressive, but they couldn’t pry Sam Bradford’s rights away from the Rams. Luck is better. But if you think he’s the best guy to come out in a while then, yes, I’d be willing to trade up for him. It will not take three first-rounders and two second-rounders as some reports suggested (reports that emanated from …. Indianapolis, no doubt). It would take a lot, but when you haven’t had consistent QB play in forever, I’m not sure what “giving up too much” really means.

JK

John: This free agent class has some marquee wide receivers who are likely going to be expensive like Colston, V. Jackson, D. Bowe and D. Jackson.  Last off season, the Redskins seemed to prefer lower cost or medium level cost free agents who weren’t per se big names.  Do you think they would be willing to pay some serious money to land one of these top level WRs and do you think they should do so?  In my opinion, I would pull the trigger.  #1 WRs don’t grow on trees and you cannot address every need in the upcoming draft.   In addition, they have plenty of #2 type WRs, thus going for a cheaper 2nd tier type of WR doesn’t solve the problem.   

Mike 

Mike: They definitely need a top-tier receiver. I’m not sure that they do have a lot of No. 2 types. To me they’re heavy on No. 3 and 4 receivers. If they don’t think they’re going to get one through the draft then yes I’d look hard into getting a top free agent. I have no problem going after a No. 1 type. But some of it depends on how they view  Hankerson entering next season. I don’t think they absolutely have to bring in guy who’s already a No. 1. They just need someone who can provide big plays. This scheme does a good job of getting receivers open, but they need someone who can do something after that. There is receiving talent with Davis, Cooley, Gaffney, even Helu and perhaps Hankerson. But adding a playmaker would change the dynamics of the offense.

JK

John: Thanks again John for doing the hard work that we can’t do. 1st question this week is about the offseason progression. When can we start cutting player? When does FA begin? Can you give us a quick rundown of the offseason scheduling as it pertains to cutting/adding players? I’m assuming we can sign our own FA at any time. I think that FA starts on 3/1 but not sure.

Looks like it’s clear Sean Locklear will be gone. Sounds like Rocky Mac may join him. I’m guessing Beck won’t get the opportunity to hang around long. Who else do you think is a goner? Anthony Armstrong? Terrence Austin? Kedric Golston? Does Atogwe get another season? How about coaches? I would like to see Slowik gone. That secondary was pretty bad this year. Danny Smith?

Are you going to continue the mailbag through the offseason?

Scott Campbell

Scott: Thanks. I get paid but writing about football isn’t a bad way to make a living. …They can start cutting players whenever they wan (JK note: A slight amendment as here’s what the NFL says regarding that:  Clubs Not in Playoffs: Beginning at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the Saturday of the final regular season weekend, a club that is not participating in the playoffs shall not request waivers for players unless it is awarded a player via waivers on the Monday after its final regular season game and needs to create an opening on its roster for such player). Free agency starts at 4 p.m. on March 13. You can re-sign your own players at any time.

Locklear and McIntosh won’t return. Armstrong is in trouble because if nothing else they’ll add another receiver or two, but as of now I’d bring him to camp. Golston? Depends what happens with Adam Carriker. Would Kedric want to be a fourth end? I’m sure they’d like him back. Atogwe? There’s a feeling that when healthy he played fine, but it wouldn’t stun me to see them try and upgrade this spot. Slowik? I think we got our answer with their meeting with Raheem Morris. Doesn’t mean he’ll be gone, but he’s certainly on notice. Unless Danny chooses to leave on his own, I’d expect him back. Mike made it clear the other day that people need to look at Danny Smith’s body of work and not just this season.

And I don’t know that I’ll do the mailbag each week, but I will at the least do it periodically throughout the offseason. My email report will continue indefinitely.

JK

John: Does Stafon Johnson have a chance here? What do you think of him? I was glad to see the Redskins signed him to the practice squad, as I thought highly of him at USC and was impressed by all he’s done to make it back after his unfortunate injuries.

Steve W

Steve: Can’t say I’ve thought much about him and because he came to the team so late it’s not like I talked to anyone about him either. He’s a name, but to me he was just a practice squad guy. Feel bad for what he went through and I admire how he’s kept plugging. I’m not sure what the plans are for him, sorry.

JK

John: What are your thoughts on the most pressing need at QB?  Some scenarios that could happen are trade up (think that will cost too much), try and stand still and hopefully RGIII falls to the Skins at 6, or trade back and acquire more picks.  If RGIII doesn’t fall back at 6 I think it would be in the team’s best interest to trade back and acquire more picks. 

Does Shanahan have to draft an early round QB this year to keep his job? 

Have you heard any word on Arkansas’s QB Tyler Wilson if he is coming out or looking to stay?  I’d say if he came out this year he would be the #3 QB off the board, the QB talent doesn’t look as strong as last year’s draft.

And call me crazy but if we don’t get one of the top two QBs I would draft skill position players early and take a shot on Russell Wilson in the late 2nd or early 3rd rd.  Some may cite his height as an issue, but the kid played behind Wisconsin’s o-line which the guys are always very big and tall, and that wasn’t an issue for Wilson making plays this year.

Lastly is an option I’ve been thinking about, what do you think about trading for Jimmy Clausen?

Thanks

Steve Klem

Steve: If you like the QB, you go get the QB. It’s the most important position and they haven’t had a good one since … And they haven’t done a thing as a franchise since … Get the point? But if you’re not sold he’s that good then you stay put or trade back as they did last year. But acquire more picks? One year after they brought in 12 draft picks? They need to start adding elite offensive talent.

No, he doesn’t have to draft a QB to keep his job. It could be that they go after Matt Flynn. But if they don’t find a QB of the future and they suffer through a so-so year? Then his job should be in jeopardy.

I have no idea on Tyler Wilson. I like Russell Wilson, too, and he’d be a good fit in this style of offense. But he’s only 5-foot-11. Yes, I know other QBs who have succeeded at that size, but it’s rare. He does have good skills, though, and he is a good athlete. It’s much harder in the NFL where they can do a better job keeping you in the pocket; not always, obviously but much more than in college.

Trading for Clausen does nothing for me, though I have talked to scouts who still like him.  But for a late-round pick? No problem with that. Clausen got caught in a tough situation with a new staff coming in (um, John Beck part II?). But I’d still want someone else who I’m higher on.

JK